St Andrews (Castle)
St Andrews (Castle) | NCG Top 100s : Scotland Golf Courses
Rankings
6th
33rd
114th
The Castle Course became the newest layout to be designed and constructed in the St Andrews Links portfolio when it opened in 2008.
Situated a couple of miles down the coast from the town of St Andrews, and the likes of the Old Course, New Course and Jubilee Course, it is a layout that winds its way along the rugged cliff edge of the Fife coastline.
David McLay Kidd was the man behind the design of the Castle Course, which plays differently to those you will find in the old town...
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A Brief History of St Andrews (Castle) Links
The St Andrews Links Trust was the team behind the Castle Course, with the idea being conceived in the early part of the 21st Century. David McLay Kidd was the man behind the design for the course.
The area that the course is now built on had previously been used for farmland, with construction on the course starting in 2005. It officially opened for play three years later, becoming the seventh course in the St Andrews portfolio.
With elevated tees, undulating fairways and challenging greens, the Castle Course has different features to the rest of the offerings in the St Andrews list. The Castle Course has hosted the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in its short history.
The area that the course is now built on had previously been used for farmland, with construction on the course starting in 2005. It officially opened for play three years later, becoming the seventh course in the St Andrews portfolio.
With elevated tees, undulating fairways and challenging greens, the Castle Course has different features to the rest of the offerings in the St Andrews list. The Castle Course has hosted the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in its short history.
St Andrews (Castle) Links Review | NCG Top 100s: Scotland
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A Par 71, 6,750 yard championship level venue, the Castle Course provides incredible views of the North Sea, while playing along a rugged cliff top. It might be the youngest course in the St Andrews Links collection, but it is certainly not an easy one, as you'll find out as you move through the layout.
The Castle Course begins with a gentle par 4, measuring at just 336 yards from the back tees. An S-shaped par 4 follows with bunkers in the landing zone of the fairway. At more than 400 yards, it is a hole that requires two solid hits to get home. The 3rd is the opening par 3 on the property, and measures at more than 200 yards from the back tees. The green has two distinct tiers, with the left higher than the right. The first par 5 comes after, with two fairway bunkers on the right side being your line. At 535 yards, it is reachable in two for the longer hitters, providing you hit the fairway.
The 5th measures just a yard longer than the 4th, and it is the hardest hole on the course. The green is more than 40 yards long, and has several swales on it. The left side is considerably more elevated than the right, so take that into account when chipping and putting. A pair of long par 4s follow, with the tee shot on the 6th being semi-blind. The 7th comes in at 455 yards from the tips, making it the longest par 4 on the Castle Course. Anything left of the green might well find the North Sea, as you get right down to the coastline at this point on the layout.
The 8th is the shortest hole on the Castle Course at less than 140 yards. It might be a short hole, but there is plenty of danger around the green, one that is wider than it is deep. The closing hole on the front nine is a 377-yard par 4, with a red penalty area all the way down the left side, with the North Sea creeping in. It plays onto a double green, shared with the 18th hole.
There are no bunkers on the par-3 10th hole, but the opener to the back side still has plenty of danger. It plays uphill, and therefore longer than its carded 170 yards, while a small burn winds its way down the left side. 11 and 12 are straight away par-4s, both measuring more than 400 yards, with the 12th pushing the 450-yard barrier from the tips. The second par 3 on the back nine comes at the 13th. Three greenside bunkers lie in wait, with the best play seeing your approach find the left side, with the ball then feeding round to the centre of the green.
The 14th has a split fairway, but it comes in at the 300-yard mark, so most of us won't need to worry. From there, it will still require a mid-to-low iron to find the huge putting green. The 15th on the longest hole on the property, at 581 yards. It is a true three-shot par 5, with two bunkers in the fairway landing zone. There is then a burn running in front of the green, meaning an accurate approach is required.
That kicks off a tough closing stretch to the Castle Course. 16 features a perimeter fence all down the right, though the ideal line is down the right side of the fairway to open out the best view of the green. The penultimate hole is the last of the par 3s. It is 190 yards and from the tips, your approach to this green is played over the North Sea. Anything right of this green will see you reaching into your bag for another ball. The Castle Course ends with a par 5, and it winds down the coast, with the North Sea again in play on the right. At 545 yards, and with the severity of the turn on this hole, don't risk getting there in two...
Our Panellists Notes for 2026
Dove Jones: I love it - it's fun and never plays the same.
Lewis Marr: The routing, strategic cut lines, mounds & bunkering is pure architectural artistry as far as new courses go. Condition was faultless, views and backdrop are top tier along that coast. Greens are so much fun and the shared green for 9 and 18 is so cool.
Andi White: The comments about the craziness of the greens are overblown. Sure, they have dips and hollows but I found them great fun as I did the whole course.
Jim Marshall: A challenging and exhilarating test of golf thanks to elevated terrain and tricky undulating fast greens.
David Walker: Dramatic clifftop layout with undulating fairways and severely contoured greens with the 17th being a standout par 3 over the ravine.
Neil White: Away from the hectic of the town are quirky, unforgettable links with all the quality of the St Andrews brand. I couldn't disagree more with those who talk them down.
Read more about our panellists here.
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FAQs about St Andrews Links
Where is St Andrews Links located?
St Andrews Golf Links is situated in the town of St Andrews, which sits on the eastern coastline of Fife in Scotland. The Castle Course is a couple of miles south of this, neighbouring the Fairmont St Andrews resort. Leuchars is around seven miles to the north, with Cupar ten miles to the west. The Castle Course is 50 miles northeast of the Scottish capital city, Edinburgh.
Leuchars Station is the closest rail stop to the town, and there are then local bus services from Leuchars to St Andrews and vice versa. The station sits on the London-Aberdeen line with LNER, and there are also Cross Country trains all the way down to Penzance in Cornwall. For those travelling from further afield, Edinburgh Airport - Scotland's biggest and busiest airport - is less than an hour from St Andrews. Glasgow Airport is slightly further away, but also offers international travellers with a landing spot on their way to the 'Home of Golf'.
St Andrews Golf Links is situated in the town of St Andrews, which sits on the eastern coastline of Fife in Scotland. The Castle Course is a couple of miles south of this, neighbouring the Fairmont St Andrews resort. Leuchars is around seven miles to the north, with Cupar ten miles to the west. The Castle Course is 50 miles northeast of the Scottish capital city, Edinburgh.
Leuchars Station is the closest rail stop to the town, and there are then local bus services from Leuchars to St Andrews and vice versa. The station sits on the London-Aberdeen line with LNER, and there are also Cross Country trains all the way down to Penzance in Cornwall. For those travelling from further afield, Edinburgh Airport - Scotland's biggest and busiest airport - is less than an hour from St Andrews. Glasgow Airport is slightly further away, but also offers international travellers with a landing spot on their way to the 'Home of Golf'.
Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
The Castle Course is one of several venues in the St Andrews Links portfolio that occupies a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. The Old Course, New Course, Jubilee Course and Eden Course are also on the list, while the Castle Course neighbours the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews.
The Castle Course is one of several venues in the St Andrews Links portfolio that occupies a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. The Old Course, New Course, Jubilee Course and Eden Course are also on the list, while the Castle Course neighbours the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews.
What golf facilities does the Castle Course at St Andrews Links offer?
There's plenty to do while you're at the 'Home of Golf'. Along with the Castle Course, there are seven other layouts in the St Andrews Links portfolio, while there is also a Golf Academy on site with practice facilities and the option to receive tuition as well.
What are the green fees at St Andrews Links?
The price of a green fee on the Castle Course at St Andrews Golf Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.
The price of a green fee on the Castle Course at St Andrews Golf Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.
For more information on current green fees at St Andrews Links, visit their website here.
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